Airbnb’s New Cleaning Policy Bans Guests From Doing Major Checkout Chores

Airbnb hosts are pushing back against a new Airbnb cleaning policy that prohibits guests from performing tasks that would “normally be performed by cleaning companies.” The policy bans hosts from requiring guests to strip beds, take trash off-site, or wash and tidy dishes.

The change applies to reservations made after November 20 and sparked outrage after Airbnb announced it in an email to hosts on Wednesday. Many hosts criticized the policy online, arguing that guests should still be allowed to clean up after themselves.

Airbnb hosts say the policy limits their control

“As hosts, we have a responsibility to protect our investments, our homes, and often our personal living spaces,” one person wrote on Airbnb’s official forum for hosts. “The problem is that Airbnb increasingly expects hosts to accept risk while limiting their ability to protect themselves.”

“Airbnb is like an abusive partner,” one user wrote in the Reddit community r/airbnb_hosts. “I’ve lived long enough to realize how true those few words are,” another user replied. “Until and unless we see substantive change, I’m finally going to back out.”

Another self-proclaimed host declared that rental-property kitchens would be “reduced to the bare essentials” from now on.

Guests welcome the end of Airbnb checkout chores

Many guests, meanwhile, are celebrating the change. For years, travelers have complained about paying high Airbnb cleaning fees while also being asked to complete a list of chores before checking out.

“The guest experience has been absolutely terrible,” one person said on the Airbnb host subreddit. “Wash the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Clean the beds and put all the linens in the laundry room. Take out all the trash, put it in the trash, throw it at the curb. Honestly, knock it off.”

What Airbnb hosts can still ask guests to do

Airbnb said in Wednesday’s announcement that hosts cannot circumvent the new policy by listing prohibited cleaning tasks in a property’s “Requests” section. Airbnb spokesperson Simon LeTouz told WIRED that hosts can make “reasonable” requests, such as asking guests to put dirty dishes in the sink.

Examples cited by Airbnb include asking guests to take shorter showers in areas with drought-related water restrictions and to place trash in bear-proof containers.

Some hosts say Airbnb is blocking cleaning requests

In a Facebook group for Airbnb hosts, one person posted what they claimed was a screenshot showing a failed attempt to edit a property’s “Requests” section.

The host reportedly tried to ask guests to wash and air-dry their dishes, leave dirty towels in the laundry room, and take trash to the RV park trash can identified on a map on the refrigerator. However, the host said the request could not be saved. In the Airbnb interface, the request was underlined and highlighted, with a pop-up stating: “Guests should not be asked to perform this task.”